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Ayi qualifies Hearts to MTN FA Cup quarter Finals


Our MTN FA Cup round of 16 witnessed a remarkable marathon of penalty kicks after a drawn game with stubborn Elmina Sharks. The evening game that saw Sulley show class was marked with brilliant play from both sides. Hearts of Oak opened the score line in the first half from a Sulley Muntari’s corner kick that was beautifully headed home by Isaac Mensah. 


The team went into recess and shortly after resumption the visitors equalized with an easy goal. A devastating moment for the eventual hero of the day. 


Coach Hamza lauded his lads and reiterated that the technical team believed in the team. They never gave up.” Yes, in football, you have the opportunity to vary your tactics and that was what we did. Sharks are a very good side. We have always found it difficult to beat Sharks and with the inclusion of their coach it made it even more difficult” because he is a very good tactician. We had to change our tactics in the course of the game to mitigate what we were facing.” 


Speaking to the hero of the night, Richmond Ayi felt he let the team down with the second goal from Sharks, so he was determined to rescue the team and restore the hope of his colleagues. The Sharks second goal was not good and admitted that it nearly shattered him.He expressed his joy after the penalty won by Patrick Razak and a wonderful conversion by Kofi Kordzi which led to the penalty shootout. 


“I thank God for this eventual victory because after they took the lead I thought we were out but strangely I never gave up. I thank the fans too for believing in us. It was a team work.” 


Fans were pleased with the outcome of the game after sitting on tenterhooks for almost half an hour of the game. 


The team qualifies into the quarter finals stage of he competition. The draw for that stage will be held on Tuesday, 5th April 2022. 


Hearts currently are preparing for their next match, this time an away match against Berekum Chelsea in the ongoing GPL.